Kolkata, August 10, 2026

 

In a written answer to the question raised in the Lok Sabha today by MP Shri Raju Bista on the details of funds allocated, sanctioned and utilized for upgrading tourist amenities, view- points, pedestrian tracks and other tourist amenities in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts during the last three years as well as the details of total number of village clusters and rural pockets identified for development under the Vibrant Villages Programme in the border areas of the said districts, the Union Minister for Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat stated that the development, promotion and upgradation of tourism destinations and products, including tourist amenities, view-points, pedestrian tracks and other tourist amenities, is primarily undertaken by the concerned State Governments (SG)/Union Territory Administrations (UTA). However, the Ministry of Tourism, he said, through its central sector schemes of 'Swadesh Darshan (SD)', 'Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)', 'Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)' – a sub-scheme of SD2.0 – and 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)' complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development by extending financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations; subject to adherence to scheme guidelines, submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), availability of funds, Government directions, inter-se priority etc.

 

The Union Minister also added that the Government of India under its initiative for ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale’ scheme, has also provided financial assistance in the year 2024-25 to the States for development of tourism projects.

 

Shri Shekhawat pointed out that Ministry of Home Affairs is implementing the Vibrant Villages Prgoramme-I (VVP-I) for comprehensive development of Villages. Under the programme, 662 villages have been identified for priority development and 1,248 projects have been sanctioned by MHA with an outlay of Rs.3,065.32 Crore, of which 316 projects have been completed. Vibrant Village Programme is one of the four categories — along with Culture & Heritage, Spiritual Tourism, and Ecotourism & Amrit Dharohar Sites — under 'Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) – a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme'. CBDD initiative has a primary objective to undertake holistic development of destinations to enhance tourist experience and to transform tourist destinations as sustainable and responsible destinations.

 

The Union Minister said, Sanctioning of project under the above scheme is a continuous process. No project has been sanctioned specifically in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts, West Bengal, under the Swadesh Darshan, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, CBDD, SASCI and PRASHAD schemes during the last three years.

 

********************

 

SSS/Kol/10.8.26

(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2297248) आगंतुक पटल : 23